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Nancy Wake: World War Two's Most Rebellious Spy Kindle Edition

by Russell Braddon (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,607 ratings
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‘Of all the variously talented women SOE sent to France, Nancy Wake was perhaps the most formidable’ —Sebastian Faulks

This is the incredible true story of the greatest spy you’ve never heard of—as told to the author by the woman herself.

At the outbreak of World War Two, Nancy Wake’s glamorous life in the South of France seemed far removed from the fighting. But when her husband was called up for military service, Nancy felt she had just as much of a duty to fight for freedom. By 1943, her fearless undercover work even in the face of personal tragedy had earned her a place on the Gestapo’s ‘most wanted’ list.

Mixing armed combat with a taste for high living, Nancy frustrated the Nazis at every turn’whether she was smuggling food and messages as part of the underground Resistance or being parachuted into the heart of the war to lead a 7,000-strong band of Resistance fighters.

The extraordinary courage of this unequalled woman changed the course of the war, and Russell Braddon’s vividly realised biography brings her incredible story to life.

Revised edition: This edition of Nancy Wake includes editorial revisions.

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  1. Print length
    281 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Little A
  5. Publication date
    November 1, 2019
  6. File size
    4724 KB
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Russell Braddon was born in Sydney in 1921. In addition to The Naked Island, his bestselling memoir of four years spent as a prisoner of war during the Second World War, he also wrote a number of biographies, novels, histories and TV scripts. He lived in Britain from 1949 until 1993, and died in New South Wales in 1995.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07XQZRWXT
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little A (November 1, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4724 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 281 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,607 ratings

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Russell Braddon

Russell Braddon

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Russell Braddon was born in Sydney in 1921. In addition to The Naked Island, his bestselling memoir of four years spent as a prisoner of war during the Second World War, he also wrote a number of biographies, novels, histories and TV scripts. He lived in Britain from 1949 until 1993, and died in New South Wales in 1995.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
2,607 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Pamela Johns
5.0 out of 5 stars Reads like a thrilling novel
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024
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This Australian, who moved to France, works to protect English soldiers during the Nazi occupation. Later she gets formal training and becomes a commander. Honestly, I don't want to spoil the book. She's a hero. Put down the novel and read the real thing.
2 people found this helpful
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Lynn Meyer
4.0 out of 5 stars interesting
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2023
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The author interviewed her for hours in order to write the book, so it is accurate and true
4 people found this helpful
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Alan of Essex
5.0 out of 5 stars Believe the Unbelievable
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2013
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Before I offer my assessment of this amazing book, I would make one comment that does not in any way reflect upon Nancy Wake. The front cover proclaims Nancy as "SOE's Greatest Heroine." I would take issue with that statement. I am not sure that people of such character and stature should be graded as if competitors. They all performed their duties in a manner and with a passion that set them apart, many of them gave their lives. Nancy lived through amazing events in which she was fully engaged at a personal level, but I don't think that Nancy herself would suggest that she merits a higher level of admiration and respect than her 153 colleagues in SOE who fought and died. My above comment goes to the publisher, who in my opinion put dollar signs before human courage and sacrifice. Nancy's book doesn't need to be made to sound dramatic, it is drama from beginning to end.
If this book were fiction, it would be a #1 Best Seller. That it is fact make it (almost) unbelievable. Russell Braddon knows about war from personal experience. He is also a writer, not just someone who writes. We must credit him with writing an amazing story about an amazing lady. A lady who was ready to commit her life in defence of her adopted country at any cost and in any circumstances. Her survival throughout an incredible period of action after D-Day puts the exploits of "007" to shame. Nancy Wake was accepted as a leader by a large group of tough French Resistance men who recognised in her a brand of courage and determination that is not given to many. Australian by birth, she adopted France as her country because she married a Frenchman and she loved France.
If you are an avid reader of the exploits of the SOE, you cannot pass this book by.
If you are inspired by reading true adventures that demand extraordinary courage, loyalty and personal sacrifice, you will find more than enough inspiration within the pages of this account of the exploits of Nancy Wake.
We have degraded the status of "Hero" or "Heroine" by awarding it to everyone from sports stars to the neighbour who brings your kitten down out of a tree.
Nancy Wake qualified in the original true sense of the word as a "Heroine".
A lady of indomitable courage, bravery, determination and integrity.
If you cannot find excitement and admiration in your heart as you read these chapters, I would recommend that you proceed direct to the mortuary from wherever you are and do not collect $200.00.
44 people found this helpful
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SueH57
5.0 out of 5 stars Who Needs Fiction With Real Life like THIS!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2021
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I read this after having read Kristin Hannah’s novel The Nightingale. There were questions as to how could all of this happen to one person. Since Nancy Wake was one hero the book was based on- I searched and found her.

What an incredible woman!! What an astounding hero! Quick thinking, compassionate, unfazed by dangers, authoritative- definitely that, loving wife, resourceful… Why have we not had more GOOD movies centered on the people of the resistance? (And I watched the movie/documentary on Nancy Wake…it got better, but it was never great. Won’t someone fix this?!)

Now for the actual book, and writing style. Russell Braden gathered so much information through multiple interviews that he was able to put together a very detailed sequence of events. Some of the details were a bit over the top and probably unnecessary, but it left me with such an in-depth picture of what it was like to be in the French countryside during WWII. I feel that I traveled alongside Nancy and those with her. It is told with warmth and respect. He provides an inside view of daily life with the men who worked tirelessly to overcome a formidable enemy without delving into a lot of gory details.

I did like that this was available as an audio book as well, so the last half-third I relied heavily on the well done narration.

I do recommend this to anyone interested in women in war but not just, as this is not a book for or about women. It’s about the Resistance, the Maquis. It is a tribute to a woman and her remarkable abilities, and the hundreds with whom she served.

Really, who would believe this was real except that it be told by those who lived it.
29 people found this helpful
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Beer Pongger
5.0 out of 5 stars Soooo exciting!!
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2021
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This version of the biography of British SOE operative in France is soooo exciting. What makes it thus is that the events are true, as well as that the author knew Nancy. The book was originally published in 1956 so close after WWII ended. Therefore many of Nancy's friends and colleagues were living to recount their close feelings and the broad spectrum of events together to the author whom they trusted. If you saw a movie of these scenes and of Nancy's brashness to all she met, you would simply say, pshaw! this is impossible for one person to accomplish all of this and still fall in love (quite a love story). Her main accomplishent especially how she was able to organize the multitude of the fragmented groups of the Maquis French resistance into a cohesive 7000 member striking force against Nazi Germany. Wow!! This book brings together situations in WW II France that I never knew. Stop reading this review and order the book. Note: there are other books about Nancy Wake but none by the author of this book. I recommend reading this book first and if you want then purchase the others. BTW I call her Nancy because I feel I know her and was with her throughout her daring escapades. I wouldn't be surprised if you, gentle reader, will too.
9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Helen Cordy
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Xmas present
Reviewed in Canada on January 18, 2022
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Christmas Present loved it
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Jen
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastically written
Reviewed in Australia on January 9, 2024
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The true bravery of Nancy Wake has finally been shown in Mr. Braddon's words.

Thank you, Sir. For taking us through this amazing lady's story.
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supergran
5.0 out of 5 stars Nancy Wake
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 24, 2012
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This was a very good book that I couldn't leave alone for long. It is so well written that you imagine yourself in the situations that Nancy was in, not that I ever hope any of us would ever be in. From the start, the picture painted was very clear, the people were described so well, it left you in no doubt who was who, their tasks, their personalities and worries. What a brave, modest woman she was, she sacrificed so much of her life, even her loved ones. I have admiration for her. There is a point in the book where one page is out of sinc, I cannot recall which page it was. I gave it to a friend and she has to read it quickly as there are so many people wanting it after her. My husband also read it, unusual for him to think a book is that good. In a way I am sorry I gave it away, I would have re-read it.
6 people found this helpful
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Eileen M.E.Wilde.
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful. Well worth 5+ stars.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 5, 2019
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This was a terrific true story the Resistance, and in particular, Nancy Wake, a rebellious member of the French Resistance. This was all about her years spent with the above and her tremendous bravery and outstanding leadership with her particular group. My admiration knows no bounds regarding these extremely courageous people who put their own lives at risk while saving others who have falling foul of the Nazis. It makes one very humble reading about the exploits of these brave people. Would we put our lives at risk saving people you really didn’t know? I would certainly recommend this book. He you must read.
10 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Nancy Wake
Reviewed in Australia on March 26, 2021
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This is one of the most enthralling books I have read. Knowing of Nancy Wake I started reading this book of Russel Brandon's. Could not put it down, just finished it. Now living in Tasmania, from Sydney, have had to follow Peter Fitzsimons article of Nancy,s address in Sydney. Recommended to any one who is interested in these stories. Pat Abley.
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